Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao (4th from right) joins the officials and employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Secretary Lito Atienza (3rd from right) in their flag-raising ceremony in Quezon City. Pacquiao, who recently won the title International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior welterweight champion of the world over British boxer Ricky Hatton, gave thanks to God and to all Filipinos for their continued support, saying he was happy to have given the country and all Filipinos in all parts of the globe another reason to be proud of. Also in photo are (from right): Atienza’s son Ali, and WBC International Featherweight Crown holder Bernabe Concepcion (2nd from right) who won against Yoglie Herrera of Colombia in the undercard during the Pacquiao-Hatton fight dubbed “Battle of the East and West” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The following article was taken from the May 11, 2009 issue of TIME Magazine, where our very own Manny Pacquiao was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world………..

Manny Pacquiao
By Lennox Lewis, former world heavyweight champion and now a boxing commentator for HBO Sports

Pound for pound, Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer in the world. But even more important than holding that distinction, Manny has connected with the people of his home country, the Philippines, to the point where he’s almost like a god. The people have rallied behind him and feel like they’re a part of him, because they can see his talent, his dedication, his grace and his class. The grip he holds over the Philippines is similar to Nelson Mandela’s influence in South Africa. I can surely see Manny becoming the Philippine President one day.
In fact, he already ran for Congress in the Philippines but lost, in part because voters thought he could do more for the country as an inspirational champion boxer. I agree with the Filipino people. Manny, 30, already has a true global reach, and his influence will only expand as he gets better. Manny is from the Muhammad Ali school. He’s a boxer, a puncher and a mover – a champion in four weight divisions. He doesn’t stand there and take shots. He throws that wicked jab and is so quick to dodge trouble.
Boxing needs a guy like Manny. Too often, when something positive develops, the sport takes two steps backward: you never know where the black eye is going to come from. With Manny, you don’t have to worry about that. He just loves the sport and knows he’s carrying the hopes of his country in the ring.

Former Manila Assemblyman, General Manager of the National Housing Authority, Manila Vice-Mayor for 6 years, Mayor of Manila for 9 years, and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources